Edith L. Easton

Edith Easton, nee Richardson, 90 of Belleville, Illinois, born March 6, 1921 in E. St. Louis, Illinois, died Friday, April 15, 2011 at Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Caseyville, Illinois, of natural causes.

Edith built a business, Easton’s Tavern, E. St. Louis, Illinois, with her husband and her mother-in-law. Easton’s was a favorite family place with an outdoor beer garden (the Red Pig Barbeque and Beer Garden) long before outdoor spaces were used. Easton’s was a “blue plate special” home-made lunch place for laborers in the area, a meeting place for ball teams, and known for its “Friday night Fish Fry.” It was a gathering place for good conversation and a quick delicious meal any time of the day. Edith had holiday parties and invited everyone with special invitations to those without a family of their own. Edith was a superb cook who could prepare the daily menu, make a delicious gourmet meal out of left overs and design a table fit for a queen for special occasions.

Edith has a special summer place on DuQuoin Lake which she built for her friends and her family. It was her home away from home. Her beloved pet, Clancy, knew when she loaded the car they were going to the clubhouse. Joe’s meat market would be their first stop, after that the weekend fun could begin.

Edith loved to dance and in her retirement years she participated in the Seniors Citizens line dancing activities. At her 80th birthday she taught her friends and family dances they had never seen. Edith was also an avid writer. She wrote letters to family and friends and won many awards later in life for articles she wrote for the Belleville News Democrat.

Edith was a generous member of Blessed Sacrament church volunteering with the Quilting Club as well as helping with luncheons and special occasions at the church. She loved the camaraderie and her dishes were always the prize of the day.

Edith’s life was devoted to her family-her beloved sons and their family and friends. Everyone was welcome at her home. Edith was a caring devoted grandmother who loved each of her grandchildren with undeniable affection and devoted ever-protective love. She was a caretaker for many in her family including her mother and husband during the last days of their lives. Her family always came first.

Edith never had a chance to finish High School or go to college and made education a primary focus and a source of pride in her family members.

Edith is preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years Clifford Easton, who passed away in 1983; and parents, Jim and Eleanor Richardson, nee Wilke.

Surviving are her sons, Cliff “Ace” (Pat) Easton, nee Gromacki, born November 12, 1942 and currently residing in Scottsdale, Arizona and Randall Easton, born October 2, 1952 and currently residing in Belleville, Illinois; grandchildren, CJ and Kelly Easton of Olathe, Kansas, Cory and Kelly Easton of Belleville, Illinois, Carrie (Cliff) Poindexter, nee Easton of Overland Park, Kansas; great-grandchildren, Brayden Easton, Paige Easton, Max Easton, Kate Easton, Sloane Poindexter, and Carter Poindexter.

Memorial contributions may be made to TIP Hospice, 720 West Main Street, Suite 210, Belleville, Illinois 62220.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday, April 18, 2011 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville, Illinois 62223.

Funeral Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 8707 West Main Street, Belleville, Illinois 62223 with Father Matthew Elie presiding. Interment will follow services at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery, 10101 West Main Street, Belleville, Illinois 62223.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to all the caring people at Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Special Thanks to Ellen Hubbard Kaelin an angel of love who cared for Edith at home during her last years.

Edith Easton- gentle, kind, loving Mother- Grandmother- Friend

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois